Slippage Syndrome, Church Sickness #2

Detail Distraction, Church Sickness #3

Institutional Idolatry, Church Sickness #4

Activity Acclimation, Church Sickness #5

Purposeless Prayer, Church Sickness #6

Comments

Regarding #7. You are talking about the spirit of Jezebel which is a spirit of control, ego, power, manipulation, and fear. Every church I’ve Pastored has this spirit – it thrives in institutionalized religion/Christianity. You can’t change it – no matter how well intentioned your efforts may be Dr. Rainer. There’s too much at stake in the institution because money is what drives it. It’s a world based system and economy – it’s how capitalism and corporate America functions. Speaking the truth in love – you and your organization is deeply imbedded in it with the institutional church. The only way out is to renounce it in the name of Jesus and leave it and be free in Christ! Then we are free from the non-biblical expression of church so rampant in our country. Free from heiarchacal sytems based on money, control, manipulation, ego, power, and the like. You don’t have to post this but I welcome if you feel led to respond to my comments. Sincerely, Ron – a Pastor currently in the Jezebel controlled institution who is praying and discerning how to leave it and be free in Christ. Thank you for your time.

If every church you have pastored at has that trait what might be causing it? Because I know of many fine churches that focus on being Christ’s hands and feet and not hierarchy. Sorry you have had this experience.

Ron, the Jezebel is a dangerous spirit. It does not work alone and I have encountered it in most of the churches I have served. You must take great care, because the Jezebel is not complete in its work until the prophets of the Lord are dead. The Jezebel does not take prisoners.
Pray fervently for protection around you and your family. Check out my website for more information: http://www.jamesevans.ca/identfy-and-destroy-a-jezebel-spirit/
And walk carefully in the Spirit, with your armor and sword etc.
God bless brother.

A very warm thank you to Thom not just for this seventh lesson, but for the entire series of lessons. Very timely and quite on target. Many of the churches of our country, the good old USA, are no longer primarily engaged in the missions that God has placed in front of His people. So many churches are so culturally engaged that they have over time erased much of the “body of Christ” from within them. There are more ways than these seven that many churches are falling short – but collectively these seem to be the major causes of church unfaithfulness towards God and His kingdom. Very useful material for one of the books I am currently writing – thanks so much Thom!

Resolve conflict = problems leave–and they can’t come back because, in the course of learning to resolve (not manage) conflict, eveybody involved must grow up and can now recognize problems for what they are (problems) and not let them (the problems) back in the building when they come knocking.

The initial scenario seems to describe varying degrees of maturity and emotional security. Pastors who are not grown ups emotionally will not do well at much in their vocation–so grow up, and help church members do the same.

‪What!? Have you ever Pastored a Church? Some of your ridiculous comments.‬
‪If you have members calling out each other’s sins, you will have no more members. And hurt and divided community. Seriously.‬
‪Addressing the church must be done decently and in order with love 😎🙏‬
Pastors and Deacons must seek Divine guidance and biblical instruction to shepherd the flock.

Love (agape sort): to pursue always, unconditionally, and despite all costs to myself the COMPLETE well-being of another simply for the treasure that one has become to me (cf., John 3:16, the Lord, and you).

Love never abuses, though on occasion it may hurt. Love tells the unvarnished truth, not truth with varnish (but again: love does not abuse). Cf., Sharing Jesus without Fear question #5: “If you were wrong about anything you believe, would you want to know it?” asked of a church member in error.